After 60 days experiment, distribution characteristics of n-alkanes at 10,000 mgkg1 concentration level in the HDMs and STL-Ms soils are shown in Fig. 4.
Furthermore ,a decreased difference (Diff.) among HDMs, STL-Ms and the control are shown
in Fig. 4 in dotted line.
The experimental results indicated that the HDMs isolated from The HYRE wetland could have a biodegradation effect on the n-alkane Components with high diesel indices in the diesel components .
The Degradation of the n-alkanes was distinct in the different treatment
soils.
Scirpus triqueter combined with the HDMs played a remarkable role in the degradation and remediation of the n-alkanes than HDMs itself .
STL-Ms had a better effect on the range of C16–C24 n-alkanes than others. In particular, the degradation degree of C19 alkane was the highest.
Other researchers have proved that biodegradation is a sequential process after typical n-alkanes were first removed ,and that the lighter homologs are more susceptible.
The carbon number is the key factor influencing the biodegradation speed of the paraffins.
Biodegradation of hydrocarbons decreases with increasing molecular weight. Oil-degrading microorganisms could degrade hydrocarbons with a wide range of n-alkanes (C10–C35) among which C14–C19 are preferred (Greenwood et al.,2008; Binazadeh et al.,2009).
The pot experiment results had confirmed that the n-alkanes with low- medium carbon number in diesel were more easily degraded by the synergic action of Scirpus triqueter and HDMs, and the degradation action of STL-Ms had an obvious selectivity for the n-alkanes of various molecular weights in different diesel treatedsoils.